Dedication to community support

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jason Bullock
  • 10th Space Warning Squadron
CAVALIER AIR FORCE STATION, N.D. --  Cavalier AFS was re-united with its Cold War heritage Dec. 5 as it dedicated a replica Spartan missile donated by a local company.

"This missile symbolizes our proud heritage dating back to our Cold War mission of the 1970s and our valued relationships with nearby communities, especially with one of our closest neighbors," said Lt. Col. Keith Balts, commander of the 10th Space Warning Squadron.

The half-size model was built by Lorrich Industries, manufacturer of steel agricultural and industrial bins, located just one mile from the main gate. According to owner, Mr. Lorne Reimer, owner, the missile was donated for multiple reasons.

"We are also located in a remote location from the rest of town, so we share a sense of camaraderie with the base," said Mr. Reimer. "We also wanted to say 'thank you' after the [Cavalier AFS] fire department extinguished a fire at our building in 2002."

Mr. Reimer observed of a decommissioned Spartan on display in the nearby town of Langdon, N.D., using a spotting scope to help design the replica. Actual construction required only a month and a half of work.

As part of the SAFEGUARD program, the nation's first operational missile defense system, 30 Spartan missiles were stationed at a companion site to Cavalier AFS called the missile site radar (MSR). Cavalier AFS used its perimeter acquisition radar and attack characterization system radar to detect inbound missiles and pass the information to the MSR, which would launch and control the Spartans to intercept the enemy warheads.

Today, the PARCS radar is the only component of the SAFEGUARD system that remains operational. The 10 SWS still detects missiles as its primary mission, but instead of cueing Spartans, it reports to North American Aerospace Defense Command to make accurate attack assessments. The 10 SWS is one of five missile warning radar sites that fall under the 21st Operations Group.

Col. Chris Crawford, commander of the 21 OG, and Chief Master Sgt. Randy LaCombe, chief enlisted manager, assisted Cavalier AFS in dedicating its first static display.

"Cavalier is a unique weapon system," said Colonel Crawford. "And the small number of people provides for a unique experience within the unit and the community."

Despite the cold North Dakota weather, the overriding factor of the day was the warmth of Cavalier AFS's relationship with the local community.

"On behalf of all men and women who have served, serve now or will serve their nation on Cavalier Air Force Station, I would like to thank Lorne Reimer and Lorrich Industries not only for this very generous gift, but for the friendliness you have shown all of us over the past 30 years," Colonel Balts said.